UC's Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program (SAREP) has announced its 2010 Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems Competitive Grants Program.

The $200,000 grant program is designed to encourage collaboration among individuals and groups working in agriculture. These can include farmers, ranchers, community groups and nonprofit organizations, public agencies, UC Cooperative Extension specialists and advisors, and students and researchers affiliated with California State University, University of California, and community colleges or other institutions of higher education. Each project must include at least one partner from county-based UC Cooperative Extension or a community-based stakeholder group.

Grant recipients are eligible for up to $35,000 in funding, depending on the type of project. Funding is available for four types of projects: planning grants, education and outreach grants, research grants and graduate student research grants.

Proposals are due by noon on Dec. 13. For more information, visit http://www.sarep.ucdavis.edu/2010RFP.htm.